Marching Band Looking for New Members

The following is a press release from Mensch and Company:

The nationally-ranked Fair Lawn High School Marching Band & Color Guard will have an open house for students interested in joining the award-winning ensemble when it hosts its annual “Meet the Marching Band Night” on Tuesday, May 31 at the high school from 5-8 p.m.  

The event is open to all students presently in grades 7-11 who may be interested in joining or continuing with the marching band for the 2011-12 school year. A complimentary dinner is scheduled to be served followed by informal workshops where new students can meet current band members and the staff and learn about the different instrumental sections that are offered, including the Color Guard which comprises the visual elements of the show. Previous marching band experience is not required.  

“This is a wonderful opportunity for any student interested in the program to check it out firsthand,” said director of bands Paul Kafer, who has guided the Cutters to 10 consecutive national top 13 finishes including five consecutive trips to the U.S. National Marching Band Championships.

Fair Lawn is the only Bergen County school to compete at Nationals. The nationally-ranked Cutters finished eighth overall and won the National championship in percussion this past season. They also claimed their third consecutive Bergen County Invitational championship, sweeping all captions in Group IV Open Class competition. The Marching Band & Color Guard then capped their season by leading the parade down Main Street USA in Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL in February.  

“The Marching Band & Color Guard is one of the great things Fair Lawn High School has to offer,” added Kafer. “It’s a tremendous experience both on and off the field. It’s a great way for new students to make friends before school starts and makes for an easier transition into high school. Our students tend to do very well in their classes during band season. They also many learn life lessons such as confidence, team work, communication, working towards a common goal, learning a craft, competition, and friendships.”  

On-field performances feature home football games at Sasso Field, seven competitions throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania concluding with the U.S. National Championships at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD in November.  

“Performing at the National championships and at Disney World are things we can offer our students that they will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Kafer.